Women from an air base cycled, ran and walked to an Army barracks as part of a 97-stage relay in aid of two charities.

The RAF Wittering personnel and residents took part in WRAFS on Tour on Saturday.

The relay, which began in Stranraer in June and will finish at the National Arboretum near Lichfield in October, is being held to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Royal Air Forces Association.

Stage 41 covered the nine miles between St George’s Barracks in North Luffenham and RAF Wittering and was finished in respectable times by a team of seven women. The cyclists took an hour, the runners 90 minutes, and the walkers took just under four hours.

Alison Serrell-Cooke, 49 organised this stage of the relay. She said: “It’s been exhausting but really good fun; these causes are so worthwhile and the girls from Wittering have worked really hard today.”

Around 600 retired and serving women Royal Air Force officers are taking part in the event across the United Kingdom. All ages have been represented with several women over 7 joining in.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the merger between the Women’s Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Although the term WRAF carries no official weight anymore, it is still occasionally used among female RAF personnel.

RAF Wittering Station Commander, Group Captain Damian Alexander, said: “People of all genders and ages are now part of our whole force, so it is great to see the indispensible contribution that women have made, and continue to make, to the Royal Air Force acknowledged in this way.”

He added: “Equally, I think it’s fantastic that women from this Station have worked so hard and given their own time to support the relay and help the fundraising effort.”